CHANCE OF SURVIVAL: The Link Between Risk of Death, Specific Days of the Week, and Times of the Day

Photo by Jacqueline Martinez on Unsplash

Human life remains, in many ways, an unsolved mystery. The same can be said about death. Scientists continue their attempts to provide a rational explanation for it. The latest statistics offer insights into why people most often die in certain ways, due to specific causes, and at particular times. However, it is up to you to judge how convincing these scientific theories truly are.

THE KILLER MONTH

The most deadly time of the year is traditionally associated with the New Year holidays — or, more precisely, the post-holiday period that casts a shadow over the festive mood.

Strangely enough, holidays that bring us gifts, celebrations, and joy are also a time of heightened stress. People experience the end of the year in very different psychological ways.

For instance, some may reflect on discouraging results. Add to this lavish feasts, fatty foods, alcohol abuse, and medical facilities that are closed during the holidays. The outcome is what doctors sometimes call the «killer month» — January.

It is in January that the highest number of deaths are recorded for a variety of reasons. In general, mortality follows a certain seasonality that is not so easy to explain rationally.

THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME OF DAY

Fewer people die during the warm months. Mortality rates reach their lowest point by the end of summer, but in December, they begin to rise, peaking around January 1st. Interestingly, this phenomenon is unlikely to be driven by weather or climate, as it occurs in both northern and southern countries.

One of the most striking examples of this pattern was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, COVID-19 ranked as the tenth leading cause of death, yielding the top spots to «traditional» factors — cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and unintentional injuries. At the height of the pandemic, the highest weekly death tolls occurred between late December and early January.

In addition to deadly months, there are also lethal days of the week and specific times of the day. Statistics show that 60% of fatal incidents occur between 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., with a peak around 4–5 a.m. Doctors link this to the body’s circadian rhythms, which slow cardiac activity during these hours.

DEADLY SATURDAY

After analyzing data over 15 years, American scientists concluded that the lion’s share of deaths occur on Saturdays. Moreover, the causes of death vary depending on the day of the week.

For instance, Monday sees a peak in deaths caused by heart disease. On Tuesday, fatalities from flu and pneumonia are most common. Interestingly, Tuesday is also the safest day for driving, with the fewest deaths from car accidents.

Wednesday, true to its «middle-of-the-week» status, shows average numbers across all categories. By Thursday, overall mortality begins to rise again, but deaths from diabetes and heart attacks notably decrease. Fatalities caused by gunshot wounds also drop — somehow, people seem less inclined to shoot each other on this day.

On Friday, deaths from cardiovascular diseases start climbing once more, with drug overdoses playing a significant role. Saturday and Sunday record the highest number of deaths from various accidents, shootings, and car crashes.

SUICIDES PREFER NEW YEAR

In October 2024, one of the oldest medical journals in the UK, The BMJ, which has been published since 1840, added another grim detail to this picture. It released a study revealing that across various countries, there is one day of the year with the highest number of suicides.

Scientists analyzed data on 1.7 million suicides collected from 740 localities across 26 countries over nearly 50 years, from 1971 to 2019. The findings showed that, similar to general mortality trends, suicides peak on New Year’s Day — January 1st. The majority of New Year’s suicides are men.

The problem is extremely serious. According to WHO data, in 2019, suicide accounted for more than 1% of all deaths worldwide (700,000), surpassing fatalities caused by malaria, HIV, and breast cancer.

THE «HANGOVER EFFECT» OF MONDAYS

Why does this happen? One working hypothesis suggests that alcohol overdose is to blame, as it heavily impacts mental health. By lowering endorphin levels and blood glucose, a hangover triggers fear, anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness.

A similar «hangover effect» appears not only on January 1st but also on Mondays, when life seems bleak to many — even those who abstain from alcohol. Of course, this is just a hypothesis, though it is quite plausible.

Regardless, scientists recommend paying extra attention to one another on these days, when many people may need psychological support. This period calls for prioritizing health, avoiding excessive drinking, and showing care and compassion for loved ones.

THE DARKEST DAY

According to The BMJ, Mondays are the deadliest day for suicides, accounting for 15–18% of all cases globally. Thus, there is a valid reason for calling Monday a «hard day». However, suicide rates vary across different days of the week, depending on the country. For instance, in South and Central America, as well as in Finland and South Africa, suicides are most common on Saturdays and Sundays. Meanwhile, in North America, Asia, and Europe, people are far less likely to take their own lives on weekends, preferring other days of the week instead.

SUICIDE DISLIKES THE POOR

Interestingly, the risk of suicide is not tied to living standards, as one might expect. Research revealed that suicide rates are higher in wealthy and developed countries than in poorer ones. The countries with the highest suicide rates are South Korea and Japan. Following them are two nations vastly different in climate, culture, and socio-ethnic makeup — Estonia and South Africa.

The lowest suicide risk was recorded in the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay. Despite these differences, scientists identified a common trend across all countries: women account for far fewer suicides than men. Among men, the majority of suicides occur before the age of 64, whereas after the age of 65, the suicide risk decreases significantly for both men and women.

Original research: